Your Guide for Shopping at The Market This Memorial Day Weekend

_{Header image provided by Iowa National Guard.}

This weekend is a time to reflect on the service of those in the United States Armed Forces. When you visit the Downtown Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 25, shop the vendor booths and hear entertainment from musical guests Heartland Swing Inc., L and N Music, Eliana Grace Music, Sydney Storm Entertainment, The Wish Machine and B. John Burns. You can also visit the Pan Atlantic Foundation and Iowa Donor Network featured at Community Corner on Third Street and find more special programming from NASCAR.

While you’re downtown, visit some of the memorials celebrating veterans and military personnel in the city. There’s the bronze sculpture by Christopher Bennett, A Veteran’s Prayer for Eternal Peace, located near the Iowa Events Center, or the Iowa Vietnam War Memorial monument and WWII Memorial Plaza near the Iowa State Capitol building.

Vendors may change from week to week, but many attend numerous Market events all season long. From 7 a.m. to Noon this Saturday, shop our Memorial Day recommendations below:

Vendor Booths to Shop for Memorial Day

• Barnswallow Flowers: Located at 2N-03
  • Buy fresh-cut flower arrangements to set at gravestones of military servicemembers this year.
• Fontenelle Supply Co.: Located at C-311
  • Handcrafted leather goods are not-to-be-missed at the Fontenelle booth. The shop offers items like the Canvas Dopp Bag as well as non-leather items like coffee mugs, too.
• Gekka’s Goodies: Located at 3N-03
  • The military has used freeze-dried food items for years. Gekka’s Goodies doesn’t offer MRE’s, but you can find freeze-dried candies at the booth. Check for a new flavor of the month in June, too!
• Hannah Banana Fabrics: Located at 4N-28
  • Shop handmade zipper pouches, book sleeves and more at the new vendor booth for Hannah Banana Fabrics.
• Home Sweet Cone Ice Cream: Located at C-417
  • Stop by this food truck for a sweet treat of homemade hard scooped ice cream ahead of Memorial Day!
• More Spores Farm: Located at 3S-10
  • Grab some gourmet mushrooms from this West Des Moines mushroom farm, including Blue Oysters, Pink Oysters, Italian Oysters, Tarragon Oysters, King Trumpet Oysters and Chestnut mushrooms.
• North Union Woodworking: Located at 4S-40
  • Wooden home décor and sola wood flower arrangements are a sustainable way to thank a veteran on Memorial Day.
• Pawsitively Spoiled: Located at 2S-04
  • This Polk City pet product vendor sells dog collars and bandanas, oftentimes with flag options perfect for Memorial Day celebrations.
• Realwood Furniture: Located at C-120
  • Realwood Furniture is Iowa-made quality furniture. Stop by the booth and check out tables and state of Iowa cutouts this Saturday!
• Saltlickers: Located at 3N-06
  • This spice blend vendor has more than 20 varieties of spice to try, including Iowa Nice Spice.
• Timber Ridge Cattle Company: Located at 4S-38
  • Pick up some Timber Ridge Snack Sticks — they come in flavors like Jalapeno, Rachn, Bar-B-Q and more.
• Whip Delight: Located at C-424
  • Share a Whip Delight in classic pineapple flavor with your favorite veteran.

For a complete list of vendors, visit DesMoinesFarmersMarket.com.

Photo Credit: Iowa National Guard

From May to October, experience local artists, live music and entertainment at the Downtown Farmers’ Market featuring more than 300 family farmers, bakers, artists and crafters from around the state. It’s easy to visit with plentiful and affordable street and ramp parking options. Find the latest updates for The Market each week on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.